Folding table with crosslegs



Feb. 6, 1951 H. T. GENGE 2,540,875

FOLDING TABLE WITH CROSSLEGS Filed Nov. 50, 1948 1 1 1 Harold 1'. H619? if TATES PATENT YOF -CE FOLDING mirage onos Harold T. Genge, Centralia, Wash.

4 ApplicationNovember30,1948,SerialNo.62;627 (cram-s3) 2 Claims.

'Ihi's inventionre'lates t" folding tables and more particularly to that type of folding table in which the-legs "are 'arran-gedin pairs and pivo-ted with respect to'each other intermediate their ends. i I

' .An object of the present invention is to provide an'improved folding ta'ble'of the type indicated in which the legs and the connecting means by which they are associated with a table top can be readily and conveniently folded to extend in a common plane substantially parallel with and closely adjacent the table top so that the table when folded will occupy the minimum amount of space for storage purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the type indicated in which the mechanical operation of folding and unfolding the legs with respect to the top can be performed with the minimum exercise and attention on the part of the operator.

Further objects will more particularly appear in the course of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinations of parts hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

One sheet of drawings accompanies this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a table embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation showing the legs in the operation of folding or unfolding;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Figure 2, but showing the legs more nearly folded; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation showing the legs in their final folded position.

Referring to the drawings the table top I4 may be of any desired configuration but is illustrated as rectangular and has secured to its under face two depending brackets 9 arranged parallel with respect to each other and spaced apart, preferably one adjacent each end of the top. These brackets 9 as herein illustrated are of L-cross section, the vertical flange 6 depending below the table, while the flange 1 is secured to the under surface cf'the table top by screws 8..

The legs; are arranged in pairs, the leg l of each palr-being slightly longer than the leg 2,

, 2 i and thelegs of each pairare associated by apivot tintermediate their ends,-;this pivot;,3 being equally spaced from the lower end of each ofthe legs. Preferably, the lower ends of the legs are formed perpendicular to the long axis of the leg; and cut-square to. improve the engagement of the legs with rugs or other floor coverings. The difference in distance between the intermediate pivot 3 and the upper pivots l0 and I3, by means of which the upper ends of the legs I and 2 are connected with the bracket, is less than the width of the depending bracket 9, and is illustrated, the pivot ID by means of which the long leg I is associated with the bracket, is positioned adjacent one end of the bracket and near the upper or table edge thereof. From a point adjacent this pivot I0 the bracket is provided with a downwardly inclined slot H which extends to a point adjacent the opposite end and lower edge of the bracket 9, the amount of the declination of this slot ll being equal to the difference in the distances between the medial pivot 3 and the pivots l0 and 13. The pivot l3 extends through the upper end of the shorter leg 2 and through the slot II, it being understood that the legs I and 2 are positioned on opposite faces of the depending flange 9. The bracket 9 is further provided adjacent the lower end of the slot H with a depressed dimple I2 into which the head of the pivot [3 can resiliently spring when the legs are in extended position, thus forming a resilient stop at this point.

Suitable washers 4 are positioned intermediate the legs I and 2 in connection with the medial pivot 3 so as to maintain the legs I and 2 in parallel relationship, and the shorter legs being p0- sitioned innermost are preferably connected by spacing rungs 5-5 to maintain same in parallel relationship.

From a consideration of Figures 2, 4 and 5 it will be apparent that in the folding and unfolding operation the table top M will form a varying angle with respect to leg I so that the table will automatically start the opening of the legs when the top begins its initial movement from the closed position shown in Figure 5, and will similarly automatically completely align the legs at prior to the opening steps.

Having thu s described my invention, I claim: 1. Foldln under fac'eo f he top, legs arranged in pairs and ble comprising a top, spaced parly directed brackets secured to fille the brackets 3 pivoted together intermediate their ends, each of having a. pivot orifice adjacent one end and a s aight slot extending from a point horizontalliadjacent said orifice downwardly at en angle toethe plane of the top, said brackets formed with imples at and concentric with the lower ends said slots, one leg of each pair being longer than the other by a distance equal to the difierence in the vertical distances of the pivot orifice" and-the dimpled end of the slots in the brackets from the under face of the table,

rivets pivotally securing the upper ends of the,

longer legsg through the pivot orifices in the brackets, rivets pivotally securing the upper ends of the shorter legs through the bracket slots, said last mentioned rivets having heads to engage said dimples atthe extended position of the table, the legsofeach jpair being of equal length between the medial pivot and theirlower ends. I

- 2. Folding table'comprising a top, spaced parall'el downwardly directed brackets secured to the under fa I the top, legs arranged in pairs and pivoted ther intermediate their ends, each of thebrack'ets having a pivot orifice adjacent one end "and ';a straight slot extending from a -p0int horizontally adjacent said orifice down- 4 wardly at an angle to the plane of the top, one leg of each pair being longer than the other by a distance equal to the difference in the vertical distances of the pivot orifice and the remote end 7 of the slots in the brackets from the under face of the table, rivets pivotally securing the upper ends of the longer legs through the pivot orifices in the brackets, rivets pivotally securing the upper ends of the shorter legs through the bracket slots, the legs of each pair being of equal length between the medial pivot and their lower ends.

HAROLD T. GENGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Lutz et al. June 9, 1942 

